Because we care?

I'm sorry about the loss of your mother.  Very touching diary.

What a moving and honest diary. thanks zc. TYuo say something so very important.

You say something...sorry for the typos

Wow...49 is too young.  Your situation must've been very tough, but let's hope that this November delivers on its promise so that all of us can have more time with our loved ones, whether by getting healthcare for those without, by raising wages and creating better jobs for those who have to work far more than they should, and for those who are fighting an unnecessary war.

Sorry about your mom, glad she found peace.  Lupis is an ugly disease, it's been slowly killing a friend's wife for fifteen years now, so I have some small understanding of the acceptance you imply.  Donna lost her mom to cancer at 49, when she was 12.  Her oldest sister just turned 50 leading to a great deal of reflection of late.  The trail such a young passing leaves is indelible.

I could not agree more with the message of your diary.  The reason we all do this stuff is not to win a point, it is to improve the world.  Are we right?  Will it work?  Who knows.  But the intent is what matters.  Frequently in life I have attempted to moderate disputes with just this point: "The reason you are so mad at each other is because you both care whether this works out for the best."

It is OK to disagree.  It is OK to fight.  Sometimes it is necessary.  But demonizing another person is almost never justified.

-best

-chris

your kindness is a stark contrast to the tone of the other diaries.

I probably have a lot in common with the people I argue with here. I just can't trust this guy with my vote, and I started out so excited to either vote for an African American or a woman. It is such a strange year to be a Democrat.

beautiful diary.

and you know i needed it now so thank you.

to your Mom, and very moving. I'm glad you were able to mark this 1 year anniversary with this positive diary-good on you and God bless you :)

but I will also, respectfully, disagree with you. The problem I have with the PUMAs and 'Purity Trolls' are not so much about difference of opinion, it's about perceptions of reality.
'Purity Trolls', as they're known (and I don't normally use that term, which is why I put it in quotes here) only measure Obama up against an imaginary, perfect progressive candidate. A candidate that does not now, nor has ever existed in real life. If he fails this absurd evaluation, he loses their support. The benefactor? The republican candidate.
The PUMA's, on the other hand, have fallen victim to the very cult of personality they accused of the Obama supporters. And, at this point, their focus is no long on Hillary Clinton, but rather on the seething hatred of the presumptive democratic nominee. Any pro-Hillary writing has long fallen by the wayside, and they focus their energy on ANYTHING negative (true or otherwise) about Barack Obama.
Both of these phenomenons do not help democrats, and do not help the benefits your mother depended on for those precious years you shared with her.
Barack Obama is the standard-bearer for the democratic party. While we may disagree with him on some issues (and I do, FISA, NASA) the gulf between Obama and John McCain are ENORMOUS in every area that matters to Americans.
Dissent is good. Argument is good. We SHOULD discuss and argue the substantive difference between the left, the right, and Obama and McCain. But what we must guard ourselves against is becoming the unwitting pawns of the right wing smear-machine, and in the process, lose sight of reality, and the choice that is before us.

I suggest we stick with the facts, rather than the speculation. I suggest we see this as a choice between two candidates, rather than Obama against an imaginary ideal. I suggest we acquit ourselves with dignity and honesty. I think this is something we all can agree with.  

Top of the rec. list for you!

Beautiful diary.

I hear ya Z...normally I try to keep an even keel, but, today I got drawn into the fray. On the back end, while there were indeed some cathartic (and humorous) points, nothing was accomplished other than a lot of talking over one another (though, of course, I was the only one in the right!!) (I jest!!).  ;)  
It is best to ignore and move on, but, it is also hard to do so when it's the same stuff over and over and over. Ah well. Tomorrow is a new day.

My heart goes out to you and your family on this day of remembrance. From all of mine, to all of yours...thoughts, prayers and sympathies headed your way.

You do her proud, kiddo.

rec'd, mojo'd and appreciated

Thank you for sharing this.  I can't imagine what your mother lived with all those years.  I was recently diagnosed with a mild case of Fibromyalgia and it's affected my health, my family, you name it.

My reason for caring?  My precious five year old daughter who has only lived in a Country at war.  I will not allow another four years of Republican rule to further ruin her future.  She deserves the best as does every single child in this country, regardless of how their parents vote.

Thanks again for sharing this very personal story, it's much appreciated.

I know I'm late to the party, but VERY well said ... and Thank you for sharing ... I'm proud to be on C4O and MyDD with the likes of you.

Dizzy

Mom, zcflint - my thoughts are with you.

I don't participate around here as ofen when the flame wars get going, so I rarely comment as of late. But your diary touched me, so I had to say hello and agree that we need to remember why we gather here - because we care.

My deepest condolences on the passing of your mother.  This hit close to home for me, as my mother is end-stage Lou Gehrig's disease and I'm having to face the fact that she will leave us very, very soon.  You are in my thoughts as you mark this anniversary.  Blessings to you.

   is a Democratic President. PUMA can't accept that their candidate lost. They don't want a Democratic President unless it's Hillary Clinton.

  You wrote an excellent diary. But the problem is them, not the MyDD community.